The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-07-28
A New Police Role.
TURNING OUT THE LIGHTS AT AN EN-
TERTAINNTENT.

TURNING OUT THE LIGHTS AT AN EN-
rERTAINNTENT.
His Honor, the Mayor, was engaged
nrettv much all day Saturday in hearing
the testimony in two cases which, by agree
ment of counsel, were tried together.
Friday morning. Policeman Lickllter
swore out a warrant against Mac ChiluS
and several other colored boys, charging
them with resisting an officer IN the aus
charge of his official duty Chllds sWore
out warrant against the policeman
charging him with breaking up pupllc
meeting, and with assault. Pollcepaan
Lickliter was represented ny Edward
Echols, Esq. and the colored boys by W.
e. Craig, Esq. The case was postponed
from Friday until Saturday morning. ana
when it was called, so great was the cro"u
that the Mayor adjourned from the ponce
Office to the Court House.
The facts of the case, as developer ny
the evidence, were substantially as follows:
On Thursday night of last week, the Uooa
Samaritans a benevolent order, EN- oracing
in it's membership the best class OF colored
neonle in Staunton, held its annual falr
and festival in the skating rink. coward
Carter was chairman of the committee OF
arrangements. and rented the rink. AT
the time of renting, nothing was said as TO
the length of time the entertainment
would last. A large crowd was IN a0tehd-
ance. number being between SUI ana wv
The testimony of the police, and all 1he
witnesses was that excellent order was
maintained up to the time the difficulty
occurred. There had been no disturbance
whatever, no unusual noise. no cause
of complaint. Shortly before MID
night Policeman Newman approached
the chairman and stated that he
would like him to close up as early as he
could, as persons living in the vicinity
were disturbed by the fuss. Carter told
him that he would do So and commenced
to clear out his stock of refreshments and
gather up tile dishes. About quarter
past twelve. Policeman Llckllter entered
the hall, and passing to the rear OIL the
large building, turned out two OF the gas
lets. He then left the room, and short
time afterwards. between 1915 and l
o'clock returned. Between the middle
and rear of the hall Mac Childs and
group of colored boys were standing When
the policeman approached them. LICK
liter's statement was that he said to them
in friendly tone, Boys it is time you
were breaking up; you have been here long
enough Childs replied, "What do you
want us to go for? We ale not making
any noise.'' You have been here long
enough y said the policeman. Chllds re-
sponded that he was member of the band,
and had not paid an admission fee, but
that the others had paid their money to
come, and proposed to stay as long as they
wanted to. AS for himself he intended to
remain until the last jet was turned Off.
Well" said the policeman, eff that is
what you are waiting for, LII turn IL OF
now" He then proceeded to turn Off two
of the lower lights, which left four jets
two sets-burniug; one set near the centre
of the hall. and one set near the door.
Advancing to the lights in the centre OF
the hall, under which Rev. Mr. Porter
and young girl were seated, he turned
off one OF the Jets and was IN the act CT
turning off the other, when Childs ap-
preached him and said, You mustn't do
that, Mr.. Iickliter. We rented this hall,
and have right to it. and you know it we
were white people you would not treat us
so,' At the same time shaking his finger
near the policeman IS face. Lickliter grab
bed Childs in the collar and raised his club,
but the crowd closed around him, graSplng
the club, but attempting no violence to his
person.
Childs was not member of the order,
but was member Of the band which had
furnished the music during the evening.
Childs' statement, corroborated by half
a dozen OF more witnesses, was that when
the policeman first approached the group
in which lie was standing, his manner was
harsh and dicta torial, and that he ordered
them to get out of the house. His reply
wac pretty much as given above, except
that when collared by the policeman he
told him he was perfectly willing to go to
Jail if necessary, but that lie did not think
he had been treated right, CT that the col
cred people had been treated right.
Shortly after the scunle was over the
entertainment closed. The managers
claimed that they lost not only in money.
but that the evenings pleasure had been
marred by tine oiiicions interference of the
policeman and consequent disturbance.
On behalf of the policeman it was
proved that some months ago the chief
had issued a general order that entertain
ments in the RIM must be closed at
reasonable hour, and that the people OF the
neighborhood had complained Of. the noise
and confusion emanating from the rink.
No special complaint had been made on
the night in question.
On the other hand, 1t was shown that
nearly every entertainment held in the
rink, which is a public hall rented for all
kinds of fairs, festivals, &C., lasted from
. two toxfve O'Clock in the morning, and
that no attempt had ever been made be-
fore to turn out the lights, Oh summarily
close the festivities. In this case, the
order, as stated, had been unusually good
up to the time of the difficulty, which oc
CURED between 1915 and 1915 o'clock.
After hearing the evidence and the ar
gument of counsel the Mayor deferred {
decision until Monday. at which time hi
! dismissed both cases.
COUNTY COpRT, Judge Stout presiding
! commenced it's July term on Monday last
5 The trial of Chas. Venable and Preston
Johnson for arson will come. off on Mon
3 day next
Fines were paid in by Justices Harlan
and GochenoIr,
3 The will of w. Fl. 14ange was admit
r ted to record, with W. g. Lange anl
and Geo. l.. Clemmer. executors.
The will of M. D. Gayhart, was partl,
: proven and the case continued for turtle
evidence.
. w. E. Vanfossen was granted admins
tration on the estate of Louisa Vanfossen
a The estates of J. FL. Cromer and Amand
4 c. Splitter were committed to the Sheriff
= Marion Koiner, Commissioner Of roads